Portret van Catharina van Eck 1802

This is Johannes de Koning's 1802 portrait of Catharina van Eck, rendered with delicate strokes of graphite and colored pencil. The composition is immediately striking, dividing the space into distinct horizontal zones, with the figure anchored to a simple wooden table. The artist uses line and color to subtly guide the viewer's eye. Notice how the soft blues and whites of Catharina's attire contrast with the warmer, earth-toned background, drawing attention to her serene expression. De Koning employs a restrained palette, focusing on the interplay of light and shadow to model form. This technique lends a sense of depth and presence to the sitter, while the visible pencil strokes add a tactile quality to the work. The portrait invites contemplation on the nature of representation and the artist's ability to capture not just a likeness, but a sense of inner life through purely formal means.